So far, the third day of the 2010 Australian Dressage Championships was one of making music and champions. For most of the day the indoor arena was used for the freestyles (dressage to music). There were many different styles of music and choreography and all specifically designed to suit the horse’s movement and personality.
Some where moving, some humorous, some where action packed but all were extremely entertaining. This style of event is great to watch, even for those who don’t know a lot about dressage. The scoring for this class is divided by 50% for technical execution and 50% for artistic impression.
The first freestyle was the Gow-Gates Advanced Freestyle. Once again, it was an uplifting feeling to see such beautifully trained horses. For many of the horses, they not only executed the movements with ease but their timing in regards to keeping with the music was impeccable. First went to Tor Van Den Berge on Lauries As, scoring 71.667. Second went to Megan Bryant on Donnabella, scoring 70.667 and third went to Robbie Soster on her delightful horse, Robali Razzamatzz with a score of 69.500.
Outside, the Wagners Elementary Championship started at 8.30am. There were 35 horses in the class. Elementary is when the horse is starting to show some potential to collect. As most of the lower classes, the standard was high. After riding the Elementary 3C and 3D, the Wagners Elementary Champion went to Teresa Grills on Ecclesbourne, scoring 140.053. Second went to Nicole Tough on Flavio scoring 139.780 and third went to Jenny Gehrke on Fairbanks Jazz Time with a score of 136.703.
At the same time, the Prydes Easifeed YH 4YO qualifier was held in arena 1A. The 4 YO Young Horse class is judged on how the horse presents itself in regards to being a willing, free moving mount and that it is on the correct training path to achieve its full potential. Winning the Prydes Easifeed Young Horse 4YO qualifier was Daniella Dierks on Sugarloaf Sihara with a score of 8.40. Second went to Amanda Shoobridge on Revelwood Destiny, scoring 8.04 and third went to her husband David Shoobridge on Revelwood Florentine with a score of 7.86.
At 1pm the final of the Australian Prix St Georges Challenge took place. Qualifying competitions were held throughout Australia with a state final in each state. The national selectors then chose 12 finalists to take part in today’s final. So already these horses have competed fiercely to get to this event. The horse must be between 7yrs and 11yrs. Although 12 were selected, only ten actually competed. Maree Tomkinson won by riding an incredibly expressive test on her mare, Daimantina IV. This Victorian combination scored 71.211. Second went to Queensland rider, Nicole Tough on the striking grey gelding Dante, scoring 66.105. Just on her tail with a 66.053 was third place getter, Matthew Dowsley on the super gelding PSI Caprio.
by Scott Pollack
Related Links
Scores 2010 Australian Dressage Championships
Competition Heats Up at 2010 Australian Dressage Championships
Ryan and Regardez Moi Win Inter II at 2010 Australian Championships